DNA testing is set to commence in Kenya to identify the boys who tragically died in a school dormitory fire last week. The country has declared three days of mourning for the 21 victims, highlighting concerns about safety standards in Kenyan schools. The fire occurred at the Hillside Endarasha Academy in Nyeri county in central Kenya, late on Thursday night, when the children were asleep. The blaze claimed 19 lives on-site, while two more passed away in hospital. Seventeen individuals remain unaccounted for, according to government spokesman Isaac Mwaura.
The boys, aged between nine and 13, were burnt beyond recognition, leaving families in anguish as they await news. Nyeri County Commissioner Pius Murigu announced on Sunday that forensic identification would begin on Monday at Naromoru hospital. Chief government pathologist Johansen Oduor stated that postmortems are scheduled to start on Tuesday.
President William Ruto declared a period of mourning on Friday, describing the event as an “unfathomable tragedy”. Flags will fly at half mast from dawn on Monday to sunset on Wednesday across public buildings, military bases, and embassies. Ruto has also called for a thorough investigation into the incident. He emphasised the need for accountability in schools and measures to protect students’ lives.
Kenya starts DNA testing to identify school fire victimshttps://t.co/R3Tj44mPOW
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 9, 2024
The Kenya Red Cross has been providing psychological counselling to affected children and relatives near the Endarasha school. This incident has brought renewed attention to school safety in Kenya, following numerous deadly fires in the past. On Saturday night, another fire broke out at Isiolo Girls High School. Social media images showed multiple buildings in flames. While several injuries were reported, police confirmed there were none. On Sunday, a dormitory at Njia Boys High School in Meru county was destroyed by fire as students had supper, with no casualties reported.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga has tasked police with investigating whether negligence or recklessness caused the Endarasha fire. This incident has triggered memories of past school fires. The National Gender and Equality Commission noted initial reports suggesting the dormitory was overcrowded, breaching safety standards. An NGO, Vocal Africa, expressed concerns about children’s safety rights in educational institutions.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Deutsche Welle reports that officials in Kenya have revised the death toll from a school fire, confirming 21 boys died in a blaze at Hillside Endarasha Academy.(read more)
- Capitalfm.co.ke reports on the ongoing DNA testing to confirm the death toll at Hillside Academy in Nyeri, Kenya, after a devastating fire that claimed the lives of at least 17 students. The full extent of the tragedy remains unclear pending DNA identification, as some bodies were severely burned.(read more)
- BBC News reports DNA testing to identify children who died in a Kenyan boarding school fire, highlighting concerns over safety protocols and previous school fire tragedies.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
When will DNA testing start to identify the victims of the Kenyan school fire?
DNA testing will start on Monday.
How many children died in the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire?
Twenty-one children died in the fire.
What has the Kenyan government done to honor the fire victims?
Kenya declared three days of mourning and will fly flags at half mast.
What safety concerns does the Endarasha dormitory fire highlight?
The fire raises concerns about overcrowding and general safety standards in Kenyan schools.
What support is being offered to those affected by the school fire?
The Kenya Red Cross is offering psychological counseling to affected children and relatives.